Achilles tendonitis presents as pain in the Achilles
tendon or the back of the heel. It is not a problem you should treat
casually nor should it be treated only by a home remedy. Left
untreated or inadequately treated it can lead to permanent damage to
the tendon. So our first suggestion is to go see your podiatrist as
soon as possible.
While you are waiting to get professional treatment, however, there
are some home treatments for Achilles tendonitis you can do to reduce
harm to the tendon and relieve some of the pain.
Try this 9-Step Achilles Relief Plan for 3 weeks. If you are not better, see a podiatrist.
Use
a
Silipos Achilles Heel Guard to protect the tendon from
pressure and friction in shoes. It is the only product which
protects these areas without slipping. It is composed of a
comfortable elastic sleeve, with a long lasting gel cushion designed
to absorb pressure and friction. Washable.
Use
a night splint at night to prevent tightening of the tendon while
you are in bed and help eliminate pain in the morning. The Ossur
Night Splint is our favorite for Achilles problems as it includes
cushion for the tendon itself.
For
the first two weeks, wear a walking boot to reduce tension on the
tendon. Walking boots dramatically reduce tension on the tendon. The
Ossur Air Walker allows you to pump air into the walker to make it
more secure. The
Tall Ossur Air Walker
works better because it more effectively reduces tension on the
Achilles tendon, but those under 5’4” may be more comfortable in the
Short Ossur Air Walker.
Use
heel lifts
in your shoes to reduce tension on the tendon. Use the lifts in both
shoes even if only one tendon hurts. You want the lift the same on
both sides to avoid knee or hip pain. We use these adjustable heel
cups.
Use
an arch support in your shoes. By stopping the heel from rolling in
as much, arch supports decrease tension on the Achilles. A very
stable arch support is necessary and we recommend the
Powerstep Medical Grade Orthotic, It has a firm arch that is
far superior to most other OTC supports. Only a custom orthotic is
likely to work better. 
Ice
the tendon 3 times per day, 10 minutes each session. You can use an
ice bag or an Active Wrap. A lot of our patients like the Active
Wrap as it wraps in place and you can walk around while icing.
Unlike typical all–purpose ice packs, this Wrap is specifically
designed for the unique curvatures of foot and ankle. While many ice
packs freeze solid, Active Wrap packs stay soft and flexible when
cold so they mold comfortably in place.
Use
Biofreeze Gel to reduce pain at times you cannot ice
Stretch
your Achilles tendon once per day. This
ProStretch
improves the quality of the stretch. 
Use
a stable walking shoe with a firm heel. You can find shoes on our
recommended shoe list. The stability prevents the heel from rolling
in (pronating). When that occurs, the arch flattens and the bones on
top of the foot are compressed together. One of our favorites is the
Orthofeet Shoes for Women and
Orthofeet Shoes for Men
Regardless, see your podiatrist right away before the tendon is permanently damaged. If you are in the Seattle area, you can make an appointment to see us in our office. Call today for an evaluation in our convenient Seattle office.
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Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
